Sunday, Apr 28, 2013
Muscat: Oman is set to enjoy an extra holiday this weekend as the country prepares to make the transition from the Thursday-Friday weekend to the regionally accepted Friday-Saturday system.
A statement issued by the Diwan of Royal Court on Saturday declared Thursday, May 2, a public holiday on the directives of the country’s ruler, Sultan Qaboos. Combined with the statutory weekend that falls for the first time in the Sultanate on Friday and Saturday (May 3 and 4 respectively), the decision effectively amounts to a three-day weekend for public and private sector employees.
Earlier this month, Qaboos ordered the adoption of a Friday-Saturday weekend system with effect from May, thereby bringing the Sultanate’s work week into line with a system that is prevalent across all the GCC states with the exception of Saudi Arabia. The move, long sought by the country’s thriving banking and business sector, is also key to harmonising the weekend holidays enjoyed by the public and private sectors.
But mindful that a transition from the present weekend to the new Friday/Saturday system would result in a six-day work week this week, authorities decided to take the eagerly anticipated step of declaring a holiday on Thursday. Work now resumes on Sunday, 5th May.
Staff Report
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